What Gets Us Going!

The Story of Hunger

The story of hunger is all too real for 2 out of every 3 children in the Chimacum School District.  These kids rely on their school's free and reduced meal programs for their daily nutrition during the school week.  In Jefferson County, Chimacum Backpacks For Kids is leading the challenge to feed children who often go hungry on the weekends.

How We Help

During the school year, this program provides 'food-insecure' students with child-friendly, non-perishable, practical-to-prepare weekend groceries, enough to ensure 6 meals, 2 snacks and 2 drinks.  Bags are packed each week by volunteers.  For the summer, 300 bags are packed and distributed to the Jefferson County Library and a local Irondale church for weekly distribution.  

Brainfood

Backpack food programs have been shown to:

  • Increase school attendance
  • Decrease behavioral problems
  • Increase student self-esteem
  • Ease student and family anxiety
  • Improve student concentration

In the Beginning, the Middle, and Well! There is NO End in Sight!

There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. We hope you enjoy our site and take a moment to drop us a line.  chimacumbackpacksforkids@gmail.com

In the Beginning:

We got started in 2010 when Peace Luthern Fellowship decided to make Backpacks for Kids their local mission. PLF's congregation funded the program at that time. Pam Kelly volunteered to take the led as she saw the need of our children going home for the weekend.  She and her family were sending home 20! weekend food bags.

The Middle Years:

  Then in 2011 things took off!  Pam needed more help and the church added more  volunteers.  Karen and Harold Jensen began doing public events and Karen began writing grants to generate more income to fund the program. Others from the surrounding community pitched in to help with shopping and packing and they started serving more kids. 

With No End In Sight:

    Now, in 2018, we are a stand alone, proudly incorporated, charity with volunteers from all areas of our community and we are now sending food bags home with 70 - 90 kids each week of the school year.  Plus we have distributied 350 bags this summer through the library and churches.